FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa: Dutch legend Cruyff deflates Brazil
Cruyff’s beloved Netherlands take on the favorites Brazil today, in a quarter final match that is sure to be filled with some firework football. Netherlands have been the perennial under achievers of World football, something that they will be looking to overcome by winning this tie and establishing their place against Uruguay or Ghana in the semi-finals of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Brazil have always been known to play attractive football during their World Cup campaigns. Their past teams have been filled with players who have flair, pace and skill on the ball. The current Brazilian team is a little short on super star players but they make up for that with their defensive organization and cohesion. Although this in no way means that they are any less attractive to watch. They have arguably been the best team to watch during this World Cup in South Africa.
This time around the five time champions have stars such as Robinho, Kaka, Elano and Luis Fabiano on their side. However the Brazilian coach Dunga has come under fire several times for playing defensive football rather than attacking. Experts have pointed to the fact that he has used two defensive midfielders which signals a pragmatic approach for Brazil in the present World Cup.
The latest of critics has emerged in shape of the Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, the inventor of total football. The opinionated former European player of the year has said that he “wouldn’t even pay to watch” this Brazilian side. These comments came a day before both the teams take to field in the quarter final.
Brazil’s three nil demolition of Chile in their All-South-American round of sixteen tie was not enough to impress. Cruyff is a strong promoter of the total football philosophy, a philosophy which emphasizes on playing beautiful football which is a source of entertainment rather than defending well and producing consistent results.
Cruyff went on to ask the press where the Brazilian team who was supposed to win this world cup “disappeared” to. He also explained that when he thinks of Brazilian Midfielders, names such as Zico, Socrates, Tostao, Falcao and Gerson come to his mind, whereas this Brazilian side has the likes of Melo, Baptista, Bastos and Gilberto Silva in their midfield.
He also highlighted that Brazil have no skillful midfielder in their team, someone who epitomizes typical Brazilian magic. Cruyff elaborated that because Brazil don’t have that edge over other squads in quality anymore they will have to play with more “bite and intensity” on the pitch. The former Dutch captain who led them to their first World Cup final appearance in 1974 remarked that it is a disappointment for all the fans and a “shame” that Brazil are “less exciting” this time around.
The Brazilian camp has responded to this war of words through their manager Dunga. Dunga was the Brazilian captain in 1994 when they won the World Cup in U.S.A. Dunga said that it is up to Cruyff himself if he wants to pay to watch this game (Brazil vs. Netherlands) or not.
Dunga also said that football will always be magnificent and told the press that his father thought players during his time were good and before that his grandfather was of the same view. He also commented that his son and his grandson hopefully will think the same as well.
He also said that every game for his team from here on is a World Cup final. He also observed that Brazil respected the Dutch players and their manner of playing good attacking football as well. Dunga also stated that he knew that European football was very technical.
Midfielder Ramires is suspended for the game against the Dutch, so his absence might hamper the Brazilian preparations. However Felipe Melo trained with the squad recently and will be fit enough to play for the South American giants. Elano will be absent from the squad as he continues to battle an ankle injury.
Brazil are looking to book a place in their record eleventh world cup semi-final while the Dutch are looking to play for the fourth time in their history
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